Display system with a single plate optical waveguide and independently adjustable micro display arrays

ABSTRACT

Display systems with a single plate optical waveguide and independently adjustable micro display arrays and related methods are provided. A method includes coupling: a first light portion received from the first micro display array to a first input grating region of the optical waveguide, a second light portion received from the second micro display array to a second input grating region of the optical waveguide, and a third light portion received from the third micro display array to a third input grating region of the optical waveguide. The method further includes directing: a first diffracted portion of the first light portion to a first expansion grating, a second diffracted portion of the second light portion to a second expansion grating, and a third diffracted portion of the third light portion to a third expansion grating. The method further includes using a single output grating outputting combined light.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/016,366, filed on Jun. 22, 2018, entitled “DISPLAY SYSTEM WITH ASINGLE PLATE OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE AND INDEPENDENTLY ADJUSTABLE MICRODISPLAY ARRAYS,” the entire contents of which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Display systems, including virtual reality systems, allow a user tovisualize digital worlds. Mixed reality systems bring people, places,and objects from both physical and digital worlds together. As anexample, a mixed reality system may allow a user to interact withvirtual objects, including holograms and thus enabling a user of thesystem to visualize and work with digital content as part of the realworld. Users may drag and drop holograms as part of their view of thereal world.

Virtual and mixed reality systems can be implemented using head mounteddisplays that can project the virtual digital content in front of theuser's eyes. Many such systems include a waveguide for coupling lightsignals received from light sources for display to the user of thedisplay system.

SUMMARY

In one example, the present disclosure relates to an apparatuscomprising a first micro display array corresponding to a red colorchannel, a second micro display array corresponding to a green colorchannel, and a third micro display array corresponding to a blue colorchannel. The apparatus may further include an optical waveguideincluding a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface. The optical waveguide may further include a first input gratingregion configured to receive a first light portion corresponding to thered color channel, a second input grating region configured to receive asecond light portion corresponding to the blue color channel, where thesecond input grating region is offset from the first input gratingregion by a first offset, and a third input grating region configured toreceive a third light portion corresponding to the green color channel,where the third input grating region is offset from the second inputgrating region by a second offset.

The optical waveguide may further include a first set of expansiongratings, formed on the first major surface of the optical waveguide,configured to receive a first diffracted light portion of the firstlight portion from the first input grating region, a second set ofexpansion gratings, formed on the first major surface of the opticalwaveguide, configured to receive a second diffracted light portion ofthe second light portion from the second input grating region, and athird set of expansion gratings, formed on the second major surface ofthe optical waveguide, configured to receive a third diffracted lightportion of the third light portion from the third input grating region.

In another example, the present disclosure relates to an apparatuscomprising a first micro display array corresponding to a red colorchannel, a second micro display array corresponding to a green colorchannel, and a third micro display array corresponding to a blue colorchannel. The apparatus may further include an optical waveguideincluding a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface. The optical waveguide may further include a first input gratingregion configured to receive a first light portion corresponding to thered color channel, a second input grating region configured to receive asecond light portion corresponding to the blue color channel, where thesecond input grating region is offset from the first input gratingregion by a first offset, and a third input grating region configured toreceive a third light portion corresponding to the green color channel,where the third input grating region is offset from the second inputgrating region by a second offset.

The optical waveguide may further include a first expansion grating,formed on the first major surface of the optical waveguide, configuredto receive a first diffracted light portion of the first light portionfrom the first input grating region, a second expansion grating, formedon the first major surface of the optical waveguide, configured toreceive a second diffracted light portion of the second light portionfrom the second input grating region, and a third expansion grating,formed on the second major surface of the optical waveguide, configuredto receive a third diffracted light portion of the third light portionfrom the third input grating region. The optical waveguide may furtherinclude an output grating configured to combine light received from eachof the first expansion grating, the second expansion grating, and thethird expansion grating to generate combined light corresponding to afield of view of the apparatus and output combined light out of theoptical waveguide.

In another example, the present disclosure relates to a method in anapparatus comprising a display controller, an optical waveguide, a firstmicro display array, a second micro display array, and a third microdisplay array. The method may include coupling: a first light portionreceived from the first micro display array to a first input gratingregion of the optical waveguide, a second light portion received fromthe second micro display array to a second input grating region of theoptical waveguide, and a third light portion received from the thirdmicro display array to a third input grating region of the opticalwaveguide. The method may further include directing: a first diffractedportion of the first light portion to a first expansion grating, asecond diffracted portion of the second light portion to a secondexpansion grating, and a third diffracted portion of the third lightportion to a third expansion grating. The method may further includeusing a single output grating combining light received from each of thefirst expansion grating, the second expansion grating, the thirdexpansion grating, and outputting combined light corresponding to afield of view of an apparatus incorporating the optical waveguide. Themethod may further include, in response to at least one uniformitycontrol signal, using a controller associated with the apparatus,adjusting independently at least one of: a first display parameterrelated to a first set of pixels corresponding to the first microdisplay array, a second display parameter related to a second set ofpixels corresponding to the second micro display array, or a thirddisplay parameter elated to a third set of pixels corresponding to thethird micro display array to at least improve a uniformity of thecombined light.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and is notlimited by the accompanying figures, in which like references indicatesimilar elements. Elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an optical waveguide in accordance with oneexample;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of components of a display system 200including multiple views of optical waveguide 100 to describe operationof display system 200 in accordance with an example;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example micro display array foruse with the display system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a system corresponding to the displaysystem of FIG. 2 in accordance with one example; and

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart showing steps of a method related to anapparatus incorporating the optical waveguide of FIG. 1, display system200, and system 400 in accordance with one example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples described in this disclosure relate to display systems with asingle plate surface relief grating (SRG). In certain examples, thedisplay system may include a single plate SRG, display modules, such asmicro-light emitting diode (micro-LED) display arrays for displayingred, green, and blue colors, and projection lenses. As an example, eachdisplay module may include a micro-LED array display and a projectionlens.

HMDs with a single plate SRG waveguide may suffer from problems, such aslow optical efficiency and poor color uniformity because of three designlimitations. First, using a common input grating for all three colors(e.g., red, green, and blue) limits the optimal coupling of the lightfrom the display module into the optical waveguide. This may result inpoor optical efficiency which translates to higher device powerconsumption. This is because the efficiency of the input grating isdetermined by the wavelength of the light and the incident angle.Second, when using laser illumination, the bandwidth of the light foreach of the colors is very narrow due to the nature of the laser device.The narrow source spectrum further limits the efficiency, but createsmore substantial effects on the color uniformity as there are sharptransitions of the color uniformity in the field of view of the display.Third, when using laser sources, the pupil size generated from thedisplay module is limited by the size of the MEMS mirrors and the relayoptics. The small pupil size results in a high spatial colornonuniformity known as pupil replication. While in multi-plate designsthe pupil replication may be mitigated by using double sided gratings,in the case of the single plate designs there is not enough space forthe expansion gratings to be double sided.

In certain examples of the present disclosure, the display modules maybe directly connected to the optical waveguide. The projection lensesmay be optimized for the color. The display modules (corresponding tothe red, green, and blue channels) may be slightly offset from eachother so that each has its own input grating region on the opticalwaveguide. The expansion gratings may also be separated. There may be acommon output grating. As an example, the red input grating may be onthe A side of the waveguide, and the red expansion grating may also beon the A side between the input grating and the output grating. Thegreen input grating may also be the A side, and the green expansiongrating may be on the B side between the input grating and the outputgrating. The blue input grating may be on the A side, and the blueexpansion grating may also be on the A side, but in the oppositedirection of the output grating direction. In this manner, in thisexample, each of the colors has their own input grating and expansiongrating to optimize the efficiency and the color uniformity. Separategrating regions may advantageously eliminate the possibility of crosscoupling light between the gratings. As an alternative, there could bean option with two display modules: a display module for the red colorchannel and another one for both the blue color channel and the greencolor channel. This separation may be possible because the LED materialsused for green color channel and the blue color channel are common onthe micro-LED array and thus it would be easier to combine them. Thewaveguide architecture would still be similar to the example above, butthe green color channel and the blue color channel would have a sharedinput grating region.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an optical waveguide 100 in accordance withone example. Optical waveguide 100 may be formed via a substrate 110. Asexplained later, optical waveguide may be coupled with display modulesfor displaying content, such as mixed-reality related content. In thisexample, optical waveguide 100 may be a single plate surface reliefgrating (SRG) waveguide. In one example, the optical waveguide may beapproximately 0.5 mm thick. In this example, optical waveguide 100 maybe approximately 50 mm in the horizontal direction and approximately 30mm in the vertical direction. The three circles labeled as R, G, and Bcorrespond to the input gratings for optical waveguide 100. In thisexample, each input grating may only be approximately 3 mm in diameter.Optical waveguide 100 may include two major surfaces: major surface 132,and the other major surface, which is on the other side of surface 132in this drawing and thus is not visible.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, major surface 132 may include afirst set of expansion gratings 102 and 104, and a second set ofexpansion gratings 112 and 114. The opposite surface may include a thirdset of expansion gratings 122 and 124. In this example, expansiongratings 102 and 104 may be configured to receive diffracted light froman input grating region (e.g., the input grating region labeled R)corresponding to the red color channel. Expansion gratings 112 and 114may be configured to receive diffracted light from another input gratingregion (e.g., the input grating region labeled B) corresponding to theblue color channel. Expansion gratings 122 and 124 may be configured toreceive diffracted light from an input grating region (e.g., the inputgrating region labeled G) corresponding to the green color channel.Optical waveguide 100 may further include an output grating 140, whichmay be configured to combine light received from each of the first setof expansion gratings (e.g., expansion gratings 102 and 104), the secondset of expansion gratings (e.g., expansion gratings 112 and 114), andthe third set of expansion gratings (e.g., expansion gratings 122 and124) to generate combined light corresponding to a field of view of anapparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100 and output combined lightout of optical waveguide 100 for viewing the content by a user of theapparatus. Thus, in this example, the light corresponding to the redcolor channel always goes through expansion gratings 102 and 104.Similarly, in this example, the light corresponding to the blue colorchannel always goes through expansion gratings 112 and 114 and the lightcorresponding to the green color channel always goes through expansiongratings 122 and 124. In this example, instead of going directly towardsthe output grating, the light corresponding to the blue channel may goaway from the output grating and be redirected back towards the outputgrating by expansion gratings 112 and 114. In this example, the combinedlight comes out at the same location in relation to the eye of the userviewing the content. The combined light is high in brightness and yetthe optical waveguide is formed using a single plate making it compact.Although FIG. 1 shows a certain number of components of opticalwaveguide 100 arranged in a certain manner, there could be more or fewernumber of components arranged differently.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of components of a display system 200including multiple views of optical waveguide 100 to describe operationof display system 200. Each of the three views shown in FIG. 2corresponds to a particular color channel. As an example, the top leftview corresponds to the red color channel, the middle view correspondsto the blue color channel, and the bottom left view corresponds to thegreen color channel. For each of these views the same reference numeralsare used unless the particular aspect of the views is different eitherstructurally or otherwise. Optical waveguide 100 may be coupled to threedifferent display modules: display module 240 for the red color channel,display module 260 for the blue color channel, and display module 280for the green color channel. Display module 240 may include a microdisplay array 244 for the red color channel and a projection lens 246,which may be optimized for the red color. Display module 260 may includea micro display array 264 for the blue color channel and a projectionlens 266, which may be optimized for the blue color. Display module 280may include a micro display array 284 for the green color channel and aprojection lens 286, which may be optimized for the green color. Eachprojection lens may collimate the light received from the respectivemicro display array towards a field of view associated with theapparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100. Each projection lens maybe optimized for the wavelength of the emitter. In one example, lensoptimization may include changing the lens materials. In anotherexample, lens optimization may include changing the lens curvatures. Asneeded, to ensure lower costs, the lens material for each projectionlens may be plastic.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, light received via display module240 may be coupled to an input grating region 212. Input grating region212 may be configured to direct the light corresponding to the red colorchannel towards expansion gratings 102 and 104. Expansion gratings 102and 104 may be configured to direct the light towards the output grating140, which in turn may generate combined light corresponding to a fieldof view of an apparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100 and outputcombined light out of optical waveguide 100 for viewing by at leastpupil 202. Light received via display module 260 may be coupled to aninput grating region 214. Input grating region 214 may be configured todirect the light corresponding to the blue color channel towardsexpansion gratings 112 and 114. Expansion gratings 112 and 114 may beconfigured to direct the light towards the output grating 140, which inturn may generate combined light corresponding to a field of view of anapparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100 and output combined lightout of optical waveguide 100 for viewing by at least pupil 202. In thisexample, input grating region 214 may be offset from the input gratingregion 212 to allow display module 240 to be coupled to input gratingregion 212 and display module 260 to be coupled to input grating region214. The amount of offset may depend upon the physical and spatialaspects of the display modules. Light received via display module 280may be coupled to an input grating region 216. Input grating region 216may be configured to direct the light corresponding to the green colorchannel towards expansion gratings 122 and 124. Expansion gratings 122and 124 may be configured to direct the light towards the output grating140, which in turn may generate combined light corresponding to a fieldof view of an apparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100 and outputcombined light out of optical waveguide 100 for viewing by at leastpupil 202. In this example, input grating region 216 may be offset fromthe input grating region 214 to allow display module 260 to be coupledto input grating region 214 and display module 280 to be coupled toinput grating region 216. The amount of offset may depend upon thephysical and spatial aspects of the display modules. As shown in FIG. 2,the light may travel inside optical waveguide 100 by total internalreflection.

Still referring to FIG. 2, the various gratings may be formed on thesurfaces of optical waveguide 100. Alternatively, at least some or allof the gratings may be embedded in a substrate corresponding to opticalwaveguide 100. The gratings may be implemented as diffractive opticalelements (DOEs). Each grating may include a periodic structure that cansplit or change a direction of any incident light. The periodicstructure may be formed by varying of the surface itself, for example byforming uniform grooves in the surfaces of optical waveguide 100, wherethe uniform grooves may be separated by a uniform amount of spacing.Such surface relief gratings may be formed using processes such as theetching of the surfaces of optical waveguide 100 and/or the depositingof materials on the surfaces of optical waveguide 100. Such gratings mayalso be formed as SRGs, using a deposition process (e.g., an aluminumdeposition process) and the gratings may be covered with othermaterials, as needed. As part of this disclosure, any gratings formed ona surface may include both “on” the surface gratings or embedded “in”the surface gratings.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, each of micro display arrays 244,264, and 284 may be implemented as a micro-LED array. The use ofseparate micro display arrays for each of the red color channel, theblue color channel, and the green color channel may advantageously allowhigher amounts of color uniformity and sharp transitions of color in thefield of view of display system 200. Although FIG. 2 shows a certainnumber of components of system display 200 arranged in a certain manner,there could be more or fewer number of components arranged differently.As an example, although FIG. 2 shows display modules 240, 260, and 280arranged on an opposite side of a side where pupil 202 is shown, theymay be arranged on the same side as the side where pupil 202 is shown.Thus, display system need not be configured in periscope mode, and couldbe configured in a mirror mode.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of an example micro display array 300for use with display system 200. As explained earlier, each microdisplay may be specifically tailored to a particular color. Microdisplay array 300 may be formed on a substrate 310 using semiconductorwafer processing techniques. In this example, micro display array 300may comprise an array of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in rowsand columns. As an example, the top row may include micro-LEDs 302, 304,306, and 308 and the left most column may include micro-LEDs 302, 312,and 314. As an example, each micro-LED may correspond to a pixeldisplayed to the user in the field of view of display system 200. Inthis example, micro display array 300 and neighboring micro-LEDs may beseparated by a pitch that is less than 5 microns. In another example,the pitch may be in a range between 2.5 microns to 5 microns. The use ofmicro-LEDs may allow higher brightness as well because of they areemissive unlike other display technologies. The higher brightness may beparticularly advantageous in use with optical waveguide 100, which maybe optically inefficient. In addition, advantageously, unlike lasersources, which are narrow light sources, micro-LEDs are broad spectrumlight sources. The broader spectrum of light emitted by these micro-LEDsmay overcome inefficiencies of light transmission through the opticalwaveguide.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, micro display array 300 may beconfigured with a different number of pixels depending upon the colorchannel. As an example, the micro display array for the green colorchannel may be configured to have the highest number of pixels perdegree. In one example, the micro display array for the green colorchannel may have as many as 60 pixels per degree. On the other hand, themicro display arrays for the red color channel and the blue colorchannel may be configured to have a relatively lower number of pixelsper degree. In one example, the micro display arrays for these colorsmay have as few as 15 pixels per degree. By configuring the number ofpixels per degree for each color channel, one may advantageously savepower since the red color channel and the blue color channel may notrequire as many pixels per degree as the green color channel.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of a system 400 corresponding to displaysystem 200. System 400 may include a display controller 410, memory 420,sensors 430, communication interfaces 440, red micro-display interface450, green micro-display interface 460, and blue micro-display interface470, each of which may be coupled via a bus 405. Memory 420 may furtherinclude instructions organized in the form of modules, includinginstructions related to uniformity control 422. Uniformity control 422may include instructions and data structures corresponding to generatinga uniformity control signal that may be used to independently adjust auniformity of color for each of the red color channel, the blue colorchannel, and the green color channel. In one example, uniformity control422 may include instructions for calibrating color uniformityindependently for each of these color channels. The calibration processmay be performed at various stages: during final testing of anapparatus, at periodic intervals, during powering up of the apparatus,in response to a request from another instruction module associated withthe apparatus, in response to a user request, user command, or userinput, or in response to a mechanical shock to the apparatus. Sensors430 may include an accelerometer or a similar sensor to detect anymechanical shocks (e.g., a shock caused by a user inadvertently droppingthe apparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100). As part of thecalibration process, display controller 400 may initiate a series ofsteps that may include powering up each micro display array sequentiallyand sensing at least a portion of the light generated by the respectivemicro display array using sensors 430 (e.g., photosensors) to assess auniformity of the color. Although FIG. 4 shows a certain number ofcomponents of system 400 arranged in a certain manner, there could bemore or fewer number of components arranged differently.

Optical waveguide 100 and display systems described earlier can beincorporated into a see-through mixed reality display system. Separateoptical waveguides 100 and related components can also be provided foreach of the left and right eyes of a user. Such optical waveguides maybe positioned next to or between see-through lenses, which may bestandard lenses used in eye glasses or prescription lenses. The mixedreality display system may also be implemented as a head-mounted display(HMD) glasses including a frame.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart 500 showing steps of a method related to anapparatus incorporating optical waveguide 100 and display system 200 inaccordance with one example. Step 510 may include coupling: a firstlight portion received from a first micro display array to a first inputgrating region of an optical waveguide, a second light portion receivedfrom a second micro display array to a second input grating region ofthe optical waveguide, and a third light portion received from a thirdmicro display array to a third input grating region of the opticalwaveguide. In one example, this step may be performed using opticalwaveguide 100 and display system 200 as per control instructionsreceived from display controller 410. Additional details regarding thecoupling of the light portions are described with respect to FIGS. 1-4.

Step 520 may include directing: a first diffracted portion of the firstlight portion to a first expansion grating, a second diffracted portionof the second light portion to a second expansion grating, and a thirddiffracted portion of the third light portion to a third expansiongrating. In one example, this step may be performed using opticalwaveguide 100 and display system 200 as per control instructionsreceived from display controller 410. Thus, for example as descried withrespect to FIG. 1 earlier, expansion gratings 102 and 104 may beconfigured to receive diffracted light from an input grating region(e.g., the input grating region labeled R) corresponding to the redcolor channel. Expansion gratings 112 and 114 may be configured toreceive diffracted light from another input grating region (e.g., theinput grating region labeled B) corresponding to the blue color channel.Expansion gratings 122 and 124 may be configured to receive diffractedlight from an input grating region (e.g., the input grating regionlabeled G) corresponding to the green color channel. Additional detailsregarding this step are described with respect to FIGS. 1-4.

Step 530 may include using a single output grating combining lightreceived from each of the first expansion grating, the second expansiongrating, and the third expansion grating, and outputting combined lightcorresponding to a field of view of an apparatus incorporating theoptical waveguide. In one example, this step may be performed usingoptical waveguide 100 and display system 200 as per control instructionsreceived from display controller 410. As an example, as describedearlier, an output grating 140 may be configured to combine lightreceived from each of the first set of expansion gratings (e.g.,expansion gratings 102 and 104), the second set of expansion gratings(e.g., expansion gratings 112 and 114), and the third set of expansiongratings (e.g., expansion gratings 122 and 124) to generate combinedlight corresponding to a field of view of an apparatus incorporatingoptical waveguide 100 and output combined light out of optical waveguide100 for viewing the content by a user of the apparatus. Additionaldetails regarding this step are described with respect to FIGS. 1-4.

Step 540 may include, in response to at least one uniformity controlsignal, using a controller associated with the apparatus, adjustingindependently at least one of: a first display parameter related to afirst set of pixels corresponding to the first micro display array, asecond display parameter related to a second set of pixels correspondingto the second micro display array, or a third display parameter relatedto a third set of pixels corresponding to the third micro display arrayto at least improve a uniformity of the combined light. In this example,the display parameter may relate to a brightness of the color in thefield of view. Thus, in one example, the lack of color uniformity mayrelate to higher brightness of the color in and around the center of thefield of view, but lower brightness of the color at or near theperiphery of the field of view. In one example, display controller 410,after the calibration process, as described with respect to FIG. 4, mayadjust the brightness of each pixel for the micro display array thatrequires the adjustment. This adjustment may be performed independentlyfor each of the micro display arrays corresponding the red colorchannel, the blue color channel, and the green color channel. In oneexample, display controller 410 may store in memory 420 as part ofuniformity control 422 bits corresponding to each pixel that allowbrightness control for each pixel. Thus, a certain number of bits (e.g.,two out of eight bits) available for control of each pixel may be usedto control the brightness of that particular pixel on a particular microdisplay array. The steps described with respect to FIG. 5 need not beperformed in a certain order and additional or fewer steps may beperformed.

In conclusion, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus comprisinga first micro display array corresponding to a red color channel, asecond micro display array corresponding to a green color channel, and athird micro display array corresponding to a blue color channel. Theapparatus may further include an optical waveguide including a firstsurface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The opticalwaveguide may further include a first input grating region configured toreceive a first light portion corresponding to the red color channel, asecond input grating region configured to receive a second light portioncorresponding to the blue color channel, where the second input gratingregion is offset from the first input grating region by a first offset,and a third input grating region configured to receive a third lightportion corresponding to the green color channel, where the third inputgrating region is offset from the second input grating region by asecond offset.

The optical waveguide may further include a first set of expansiongratings, formed on the first major surface of the optical waveguide,configured to receive a first diffracted light portion of the firstlight portion from the first input grating region, a second set ofexpansion gratings, formed on the first major surface of the opticalwaveguide, configured to receive a second diffracted light portion ofthe second light portion from the second input grating region, and athird set of expansion gratings, formed on the second major surface ofthe optical waveguide, configured to receive a third diffracted lightportion of the third light portion from the third input grating region.

The apparatus may further include a first projection lens coupled to thefirst micro display array, a second projection lens coupled to thesecond micro display array, and a third projection lens coupled to thethird micro display array. The apparatus may further include an outputgrating configured to combine light received from each of the first setof expansion gratings, the second set of expansion gratings, and thethird set of expansion gratings to generate combined light correspondingto a field of view of the apparatus and output combined light out of theoptical waveguide. The optical waveguide may be a single plate surfacereflective grating.

In one example of the apparatus, the first input grating region may bearranged in an opposite direction to the second input grating region.Each of first micro display array, the second micro display array, andthe third micro display array may comprise a micro-LED array. Theapparatus may further include a display controller configured toindependently adjust at least one of: a first display parameter relatedto a first set of pixels corresponding to the first micro display array,a second display parameter related to a second set of pixelscorresponding to the second micro display array, or a third displayparameter related to a third set of pixels corresponding to the thirdmicro display array to at least improve a uniformity of the combinedlight.

In another example, the present disclosure relates to an apparatuscomprising a first micro display array corresponding to a red colorchannel, a second micro display array corresponding to a green colorchannel, and a third micro display array corresponding to a blue colorchannel. The apparatus may further include an optical waveguideincluding a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface. The optical waveguide may further include a first input gratingregion configured to receive a first light portion corresponding to thered color channel, a second input grating region configured to receive asecond light portion corresponding to the blue color channel, where thesecond input grating region is offset from the first input gratingregion by a first offset, and a third input grating region configured toreceive a third light portion corresponding to the green color channel,where the third input grating region is offset from the second inputgrating region by a second offset.

The optical waveguide may further include a first expansion grating,formed on the first major surface of the optical waveguide, configuredto receive a first diffracted light portion of the first light portionfrom the first input grating region, a second expansion grating, formedon the first major surface of the optical waveguide, configured toreceive a second diffracted light portion of the second light portionfrom the second input grating region, and a third expansion grating,formed on the second major surface of the optical waveguide, configuredto receive a third diffracted light portion of the third light portionfrom the third input grating region. The optical waveguide may furtherinclude an output grating configured to combine light received from eachof the first expansion grating, the second expansion grating, and thethird expansion grating to generate combined light corresponding to afield of view of the apparatus and output combined light out of theoptical waveguide.

The apparatus may further include a first projection lens coupled to thefirst micro display array, a second projection lens coupled to thesecond micro display array, and a third projection lens coupled to thethird micro display array. The optical waveguide may be a single platesurface reflective grating.

In one example of the apparatus, the first input grating region may bearranged in an opposite direction to the second input grating region.Each of first micro display array, the second micro display array, andthe third micro display array may comprise a micro-LED array. Theapparatus may further include a display controller configured toindependently adjust at least one of: a first display parameter relatedto a first set of pixels corresponding to the first micro display array,a second display parameter related to a second set of pixelscorresponding to the second micro display array, or a third displayparameter related to a third set of pixels corresponding to the thirdmicro display array to at least improve a uniformity of the combinedlight.

In another example, the present disclosure relates to a method in anapparatus comprising a display controller, an optical waveguide, a firstmicro display array, a second micro display array, and a third microdisplay array. The method may include coupling: a first light portionreceived from the first micro display array to a first input gratingregion of the optical waveguide, a second light portion received fromthe second micro display array to a second input grating region of theoptical waveguide, and a third light portion received from the thirdmicro display array to a third input grating region of the opticalwaveguide. The method may further include directing: a first diffractedportion of the first light portion to a first expansion grating, asecond diffracted portion of the second light portion to a secondexpansion grating, and a third diffracted portion of the third lightportion to a third expansion grating. The method may further includeusing a single output grating combining light received from each of thefirst expansion grating, the second expansion grating, the thirdexpansion grating, and outputting combined light corresponding to afield of view of an apparatus incorporating the optical waveguide. Themethod may further include, in response to at least one uniformitycontrol signal, using a controller associated with the apparatus,adjusting independently at least one of: a first display parameterrelated to a first set of pixels corresponding to the first microdisplay array, a second display parameter related to a second set ofpixels corresponding to the second micro display array, or a thirddisplay parameter related to a third set of pixels corresponding to thethird micro display array to at least improve a uniformity of thecombined light.

The method may further include using a first projection lens coupled tothe first micro display array, collimating a first emitted light portionfrom the first micro display array onto the first input grating region,using a second projection lens coupled to the second micro displayarray, collimating a second emitted light portion from the second microdisplay array onto the second input grating region, and using a thirdprojection lens coupled to the third micro display array, collimating athird emitted light portion from the third micro display array onto thethird input grating region.

The optical waveguide may be a single plate surface reflective grating.The method may further include rendering the collected light intocontent for display in the field of view of the apparatus incorporatingthe optical waveguide. The optical waveguide may include a first majorsurface and a second major surface opposite to the first major surface,where the first expansion grating is formed on the first major surfaceof the optical waveguide, where the second expansion grating is formedon the first major surface of the optical waveguide, and where the thirdexpansion grating is formed on the second major surface of the opticalwaveguide.

Each of the first micro display array, the second micro display array,and the third micro display array may comprise a micro-LED array. Themethod may further include calibrating color uniformity independentlyfor each of the first micro display array, the second micro displayarray, and the third micro display array.

It is to be understood that the methods, modules, and componentsdepicted herein are merely exemplary. Alternatively, or in addition, thefunctionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, byone or more hardware logic components. For example, and withoutlimitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can beused include Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs),Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-SpecificStandard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-Chip systems (SOCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc. In an abstract, but stilldefinite sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the samefunctionality is effectively “associated” such that the desiredfunctionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein combined toachieve a particular functionality can be seen as “associated with” eachother such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective ofarchitectures or inter-medial components. Likewise, any two componentsso associated can also be viewed as being “operably connected,” or“coupled,” to each other to achieve the desired functionality.

The functionality associated with some examples described in thisdisclosure can also include instructions stored in a non-transitorymedia. The term “non-transitory media” as used herein refers to anymedia storing data and/or instructions that cause a machine to operatein a specific manner. Exemplary non-transitory media includenon-volatile media and/or volatile media. Non-volatile media include,for example, a hard disk, a solid state drive, a magnetic disk or tape,an optical disk or tape, a flash memory, an EPROM, NVRAM, PRAM, or othersuch media, or networked versions of such media. Volatile media include,for example, dynamic memory such as DRAM, SRAM, a cache, or other suchmedia. Non-transitory media is distinct from, but can be used inconjunction with transmission media. Transmission media is used fortransferring data and/or instruction to or from a machine. Exemplarytransmission media, include coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables, copperwires, and wireless media, such as radio waves.

Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that boundariesbetween the functionality of the above described operations are merelyillustrative. The functionality of multiple operations may be combinedinto a single operation, and/or the functionality of a single operationmay be distributed in additional operations. Moreover, alternativeembodiments may include multiple instances of a particular operation,and the order of operations may be altered in various other embodiments.

Although the disclosure provides specific examples, variousmodifications and changes can be made without departing from the scopeof the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, thespecification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present disclosure. Any benefits,advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein withregard to a specific example are not intended to be construed as acritical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all theclaims.

Furthermore, the terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as oneor more than one. Also, the use of introductory phrases such as “atleast one” and “one or more” in the claims should not be construed toimply that the introduction of another claim element by the indefinitearticles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing suchintroduced claim element to inventions containing only one such element,even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more”or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an.” The sameholds true for the use of definite articles.

Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used toarbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus,these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or otherprioritization of such elements.

What is claimed:
 1. An apparatus comprising: an optical waveguideincluding a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface, the optical waveguide further comprising: a first input gratingregion configured to receive a first light portion corresponding to ared color channel, a second input grating region configured to receive:(1) a second light portion corresponding to a blue color channel and (2)a third light portion corresponding to a green color channel, whereinthe second input grating region is offset from the first input gratingregion by a first offset, a first set of expansion gratings, formed onthe first major surface of the optical waveguide, configured to receivea first diffracted light portion of the first light portion from thefirst input grating region, a second set of expansion gratings, formedon the first major surface of the optical waveguide, configured toreceive a second diffracted light portion of the second light portionfrom the second input grating region, and a third set of expansiongratings, formed on the second major surface of the optical waveguide,configured to receive a third diffracted light portion of the thirdlight portion from the second input grating region.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising a first projection lens coupled to a firstmicro display array corresponding to the red color channel, a secondprojection lens coupled to a second micro display array corresponding tothe blue color channel, and a third projection lens coupled to a thirdmicro display array corresponding to the green color channel.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising an output grating configured tocombine light received from each of the first set of expansion gratings,the second set of expansion gratings, and the third set of expansiongratings to generate combined light corresponding to a field of view ofthe apparatus and output combined light out of the optical waveguide. 4.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the optical waveguide is a singleplate surface reflective grating.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe first input grating region is arranged in an opposite direction tothe second input grating region.
 6. The apparatus of claim 2, whereineach of the first micro display array, the second micro display array,and the third micro display array comprises a micro-LED array.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 2 further comprising a display controller configuredto independently adjust at least one of: a first display parameterrelated to a first set of pixels corresponding to the first microdisplay array, a second display parameter related to a second set ofpixels corresponding to the second micro display array, or a thirddisplay parameter related to a third set of pixels corresponding to thethird micro display array to at least improve a uniformity of thecombined light.
 8. An apparatus comprising: an optical waveguideincluding a first surface and a second surface opposite to the firstsurface, the optical waveguide further comprising: a first input gratingregion configured to receive a first light portion corresponding to ared color channel, a second input grating region configured to receive:(1) a second light portion corresponding to a blue color channel and (2)a third light portion corresponding to a green color channel, whereinthe second input grating region is offset from the first input gratingregion by a first offset, a first expansion grating, formed on the firstmajor surface of the optical waveguide, configured to receive a firstdiffracted light portion of the first light portion from the first inputgrating region, a second expansion grating, formed on the first majorsurface of the optical waveguide, configured to receive a seconddiffracted light portion of the second light portion from the secondinput grating region, a third expansion grating, formed on the secondmajor surface of the optical waveguide, configured to receive a thirddiffracted light portion of the third light portion from the secondinput grating region, and an output grating configured to combine lightreceived from each of the first expansion grating, the second expansiongrating, and the third expansion grating to generate combined lightcorresponding to a field of view of the apparatus and output combinedlight out of the optical waveguide.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 furthercomprising a first projection lens coupled to a first micro displayarray corresponding to the red color channel, a second projection lenscoupled to a second micro display array corresponding to the blue colorchannel, and a third projection lens coupled to a third micro displayarray corresponding to the green color channel.
 10. The apparatus ofclaim 8, wherein the optical waveguide is a single plate surfacereflective grating.
 11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the firstinput grating region is arranged in an opposite direction to the secondinput grating region.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein each of thefirst micro display array, the second micro display array, and the thirdmicro display array comprises a micro-LED array.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 9 further comprising a display controller configured to adjustindependently at least one of: a first display parameter related to afirst set of pixels corresponding to the first micro display array, asecond display parameter related to a second set of pixels correspondingto the second micro display array, or a third display parameter relatedto a third set of pixels corresponding to the third micro display arrayto at least improve a uniformity of the combined light.
 14. A method inan apparatus comprising a display controller, an optical waveguide, afirst micro display array, a second micro display array, and a thirdmicro display array, the method comprising: coupling: a first lightportion received from the first micro display array to a first inputgrating region of the optical waveguide, a second light portion receivedfrom the second micro display array to a second input grating region ofthe optical waveguide, and a third light portion received from the thirdmicro display array to the second input grating region of the opticalwaveguide; directing: a first diffracted portion of the first lightportion to a first expansion grating, a second diffracted portion of thesecond light portion to a second expansion grating, and a thirddiffracted portion of the third light portion to a third expansiongrating; using a single output grating combining light received fromeach of the first expansion grating, the second expansion grating, thethird expansion grating, and outputting combined light corresponding toa field of view of an apparatus incorporating the optical waveguide; andin response to at least one uniformity control signal, using acontroller associated with the apparatus, adjusting independently atleast one of: a first display parameter related to a first set of pixelscorresponding to the first micro display array, a second displayparameter related to a second set of pixels corresponding to the secondmicro display array, or a third display parameter related to a third setof pixels corresponding to the third micro display array to at leastimprove a uniformity of the combined light.
 15. The method of claim 14further comprising: using a first projection lens coupled to the firstmicro display array, collimating a first emitted light portion from thefirst micro display array onto the first input grating region, using asecond projection lens coupled to the second micro display array,collimating a second emitted light portion from the second micro displayarray onto the second input grating region, and using a third projectionlens coupled to the third micro display array, collimating a thirdemitted light portion from the third micro display array onto the secondinput grating region.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the opticalwaveguide is a single plate surface reflective grating.
 17. The methodof claim 14 further comprising rendering the collected light intocontent for display in the field of view of the apparatus incorporatingthe optical waveguide.
 18. The method of claim 14, wherein the opticalwaveguide comprises a first major surface and a second major surfaceopposite to the first major surface, wherein the first expansion gratingis formed on the first major surface of the optical waveguide, whereinthe second expansion grating is formed on the first major surface of theoptical waveguide, and wherein the third expansion grating is formed onthe second major surface of the optical waveguide.
 19. The method ofclaim 14, wherein each of the first micro display array, the secondmicro display array, and the third micro display array comprises amicro-LED array.
 20. The method of claim 14 further comprisingcalibrating color uniformity independently for each of the first microdisplay array, the second micro display array, and the third microdisplay array.